A host of businesses, ranging from making portals to cleaning water tanks and selling balloons, are also taking the franchise route to grow aggressively.
Unconventional businesses are also adopting the model.
MUMBAI: Retail isn't the only business riding the franchise bandwagon. A host of businesses, ranging from making portals to cleaning water tanks and selling balloons, are also taking the franchise route to grow aggressively.
Balloonman Inc, a venture formed only last year to provide balloon solutions for social or business events, has already got 7 franchisees and is looking to expand its business.
"We aim to be the biggest balloon chain in the country and for that, franchise model is quite necessary. We focus on initiating and continuously training the franchisees by organising seminars with trainers," said Rajan, certified balloon artist, Ballonman Inc.
Another category grabbing this model is the portal industry.
India's leading matrimonial site, Shaadi.com, has leveraged the model to grow its Shaadi Point matrimonial service centres.
"Within two years, we have created 83 operational franchisees in 54 cities of the country. In fact, we are aiming to take this number to 250 within next one year," said Nilesh Borgharkar, zonal head, Shaadi Point. "In the next two years, we are also expecting our franchise business to grow bigger than our portal business, which is worth Rs 100 crore today," added Borgharkar.
The advantage of training, coupled with the fact that risks associated with setting up of a new venture are covered, has also brought the franchise model into highly unorganised services like cleaning water tanks.
"We have got 200 franchisees in 46 cities of the country because of the support that we provide to interested entrepreneurs in running this business. Besides, we have created a brand value for our service that helps them in generating business," said Sunil Uplap, managing director, Tanclean Pvt Ltd.
Internationally, retail accounts for 50% of the total franchise business. In India, however, the figure is just 30-40%.
"Even paying bills or providing housemaids are organised businesses internationally and the franchise model is used to expand the business. In India, where retail's share in the franchise business is expected to equal the global mark, new categories such as these are also definitely going to get their fair share," said Gaurav Marya, president, Franchise India Holdings Ltd.
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